Empanadas Appetizer Recipes

EMPANADAS

Steps:

• For the empanada dough: Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the lard with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then whisk in the stock. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and knead until a dough forms. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the empanada filling: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and garlic salt and cook until the beef is cooked completely. Drain the grease and set the beef aside.
• In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, cumin, chili powder, oregano, seasoned salt, garlic, bell peppers and onions. Cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the beef and let them love each other with fire over low heat for about 5 more minutes. The mixture should be moist but not dripping wet. Now you are ready to fill the empanadas.
• Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out 4-, 5- or 6-inch rounds, depending on how large you prefer. Add some meat filling to each empanada and fold the dough over in half to enclose the filling. Use a fork to press and seal the edges closed. You can refrigerate the uncooked empanadas for up to 3 hours.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry the empanadas until golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
• For the aioli dip: Mix together the mayonnaise, adobo sauce and lime juice. (The flavor will enhance if it sits in the refrigerator.)

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN EMPANADAS WITH AVOCADO DIP

Steps:

• Add all the Avocado Dip ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth, scraping sides down as needed. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. May be made 4 hours ahead of time and refrigerated in an airtight container.
• Prepare Chipotle Chicken according to recipe directions. After chicken has rested at least 5 minutes, chop into small pieces. Set aside.
• To the same skillet you cooked your chicken (don't clean out), heat 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Add bell peppers and black beans and sauté for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chicken and enchilada sauce until evenly combined. Season with salt, pepper and/or hot sauce to taste.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large jelly roll pan with parchment paper or line 2 smaller pans with parchment paper/nonstick mats.
• Lay out one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Lightly flour the top of the dough and roll out to approximate dimension of 12 x 18 inches. Cut 2 rows of 4" circles in the dough for 8 circles total. Repeat with other sheet of puff pastry. Gather dough scraps and roll out to dimensions to fit 4 additional circles. You should have a total of 20 circles.
• Place 1 1/2 tablespoons chicken mixture in the center of each circle and top with one tablespoon of cheese. Lightly brush the edge of half of a circle with egg wash and fold over, pinch edges tightly to seal. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining circles but DO NOT dip your brush in the egg wash again until your brush becomes dry because too much egg wash will prevent the edges from sticking.
• Check each empanada to make sure there is about a finger width of dough sealed together before the filling starts. Crimp the edges together with a fork. Pierce each empanada two times with a fork so steam can escape while baking.
• Spread empanadas apart so they are not touching each other on baking sheet. Brush the tops/sides evenly with egg wash. Bake until golden brown, approximately 20-25 minutes.
• Serve with Avocado Dip
• While empanadas are lined on baking tray before baking, transfer entire baking tray to the freezer. Once frozen, add individual empanadas to a large freezer bag.
• When ready to bake, line desired amount of empanadas on parchment lined baking tray, and bake at 400 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

MINI CHICKEN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a small bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients. On a lightly floured surface, roll each pie crust into a 15-inch circle. Cut with a floured 3-in. round biscuit cutter., Place about 1 teaspoon filling on 1 half of each circle. Moisten edges with water. Fold pie crust over filling. Press edges with a fork to seal., Transfer to greased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Remove to wire racks. Serve warm.

EMPANADAS (APPETIZER)

Steps:

• To make beef filling, crumble and saute beef and onion in a skillet until beef is cooked and onion is soft.
• Drain; stir in red chile salsa, chile powder, cumin, garlic powder, coriander, salt and pepper.
• Set aside.
• Place thawed patty shell dough on a floured board and roll out all in one piece to about 1/16 inch thickness.
• Cut dough into rounds with a 3 inch round cookie cutter or a large drinking glass.
• Put 2 teaspoons of filling on each dough circle.
• Fold each over into a half circle.
• Moisten edges with water and press edges together with a fork.
• Place empanadas slightly apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Prick tops with a fork.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown; serve hot.
• These may be wrapped carefully after baking and frozen.
• To reheat, bake frozen empanadas uncovered at 400 degrees for 5 to 8 minutes.

BEEF EMPANADAS (ARGENTINA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
• In a large skillet over medium heat add the olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until the onion is soft and the garlic is fragrant.
• Add the ground beef and spices. Cook until the beef is no longer pink.
• Remove from heat and add the herbs and olives. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Place 2 tablespoons filling in the center of each disc of pastry dough.
• Fold over, squeezing out any air, and crimp the outer edge closed.
• Repeat with remaining filling
• Place the filled discs on the parchment lined baking sheet.
• Brush with egg wash (1 egg + 2 tablespoons water mixed) and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove and let cool slightly. Serve and enjoy!